Quantitative screening of phytochemicals and pharmacological attributions of the leaves and stem barks of Macropanax dispermus (Araliaceae) in treating the inflammation and arthritis

Abstract

Introduction: Inflammation is a major cause of arthritis. Since the conventional medicines used for the treatment of this disease have many side effects, herbal remedies can be proved to be effective in this case. So, the present study was aimed at investigating the quantitative detection of phytochemicals, screening of in vivo anti-inflammatory and the possible anti-arthritic activities of the crude methanol extracts of a traditional medicinal plant Macropanax dispermus leaves (MDML) and stem barks (MDMS). Methods: Quantitative screening of phytochemical constituents was analyzed by standard procedures. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity was conducted on Swiss albino mice by using carrageenan and formalin-induced paw edema tests, and xylene-induced ear edema test. The possible anti-arthritic activity was done by evaluating the in vitro inhibition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation. Results: The current research showed that MDML contained a considerable amount of flavonoids and alkaloids, and MDMS contained a considerable amount of phenols. MDMS (200, 400 mg/kg) was observed to be an effective and significant (P < 0.001) peripheral anti-inflammatory agent in carrageenan and formalin-induced paw edema tests, whereas MDML (400 mg/kg) was observed to have an effective and significant (P < 0.001) neurogenic anti-inflammatory effect in xylene-induced ear edema test as compared to the negative control group. MDMS was observed to be an effective anti-arthritic agent as compared to that of the negative control group. All those effects were dose and concentration-dependent.Conclusion: The present research proved that MDML and MDMS were effective medications for the treatment of inflammation and arthritis.